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Google Pixel smartphone will launch on October 4

Google just released a short video confirming plans for a big announcement on October 4. The video appears to suggest that the rumored Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones will be the main focus of next month’s reveal, though we’re also expecting a few other Alphabet/Google gadgets to debut at the same presentation.

The video opens with a shot Google’s iconic Search bar. The long, skinny rectangle then transforms into the outline of a smartphone with rounded corners. That seems like a pretty clear indication that the company is planning to launch new phones, which will allegedly fall under the Pixel brand instead of the usual Nexus series. A link included with the video leads to a URL that reads “made by Google,” suggesting the company will present these new devices as in-house creations. Based on earlier evidence we’re pretty confident that Taiwanese smartphone-maker HTC will actually manufacture the devices, but it may not have played much of a role in the development process.

The Pixel and Pixel XL are expected to run Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box with a fingerprint scanner in back, USB-C, 4GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 821 processor. The larger “XL” model could sport a 5.5-inch Quad HD display and a 3450mAh battery, while the smaller Pixel handset allegedly offers a 5-inch 1080 display and a 2770mAh battery.

Google may also announce a new Chromecast with 4K support and reveal final launch details for its Amazon Echo competitor, Google Home. We could also see a new 7-inch tablet, a new Pixel-branded Chromebook, new Android Wear smartwatches and perhaps an in-house headset for Google’s upcoming Daydream virtual reality platform all unveiled at the same time.